Industry news: ‘Alphabet soup’ with lots of ‘meat’

Builders get opportunities to learn about SIPS “Extreme SIPschool” and plenty of additional seminars and workshops are planned in 2010 to educate builders about the structural panel industry. The “Extreme” program is set January 25 to 27 in Granite Falls, Minn., while others will be in Shepherdstown, W.V. Three-day programs aimed at owner/builders and three-day installation workshops will be held seven times throughout the year, with installation sessions for SIPs professionals in April and October. Get information at www.sipschool.org.

RIMA award winners: ‘It’s About Saving Energy’ Reflectix Inc. of Markleville, Ind., is one of two top winners in the 2009 “It’s About Saving Energy” building award contest presented by Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I). Reflectix took honors in the residential category; Prodex in San Jose, Costa Rica, won the metal building category. Winners are recognized for using reflective products in exceptional ways. Reflectix won for a residence near Anderson, Ind., that uses reflective insulation and radiant barrier for energy efficiency and a higher level of comfort and lower heating and cooling costs. The Prodex project improved a five-acre sugar storage facility in Costa Rica, where humidity and temperature control are crucial to the product. Honorable mentions were awarded to Innovative Energy for a municipal ice rink in Quebec, and to Fi-Foil Company, Inc. for a fitness center in Alabama.

NCCER offers foreman, supervisor assessments The National Center for Construction Educationand Research (NCCER) offers foreman and supervisor assessments to evaluate the knowledge and skills of experienced construction foremen and supervisors. Assessments are used to upgrade training levels and track individuals’ qualifications through NCCER’s National Registry. Students successfully completing the assessment earn industry-recognized credentials through NCCER. For information, contact NCCER customer service at 888-622-3720. NCCER is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) education foundation created by the construction industry to develop standardized curriculum with portable credentials and to help address the skilled construction workforce shortage.

EPS to host national training meeting in Las Vegas in January Seminars, breakout sessions and educational events mark the 2010 annual EPS (Energy Panel Systems) dealer meeting set for January 17-19 in Las Vegas. The meeting at Harrah’s is aimed at dealers that want to increase product knowledge and learn about new techniques. This state-of-the-art conference features presenters Joe Nagan on challenges of building energy-efficient, high-performance homes in cold climates; Jerry Rouleau on getting leads and finding more work; Bill Wachtler of SIPA on “what’s new” and Rural Builder magazine “Management Talk” columnist Michael Stone on what dealers want to know about contracts. The event, held the same week as the International Builders Show, has limited space. Reservations and more information can be found at EPS website, www.epsbuildings.com

Heads up: OSHA is zeroing in on recordkeeping Make sure you’re prepared for the possibility that OSHA will want to see your paperwork, says J.J. Keller & Associates, the company that focuses on safety and regulatory compliance products and services. It’s not always easy to determine whether a work-related injury or illness is recordable according to OSHA’s requirements, the company warns. And filling out paperwork in these circumstances is often not top priority. But recordkeeping is one of the most critical requirements on which OSHA is currently focusing its compliance enforcement efforts. More information on ways to keep injury and illness records in compliance is available from J. J. Keller.

AIA’s sets multi-party agreement for integrated project delivery The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in November released the new C191-2009, Standard Form Multi-Party Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). The form provides for a collaborative relationship among parties involved in a design and construction project and utilizes the IPD delivery model. The agreement lets parties execute one coordinated and integrated agreement that clarifies their roles and responsibilities in delivering a project consistent with the principles of IPD. Unlike the C195-2008, the parties do not form an LLC under the C191-2009 framework. In addition, the AIA released B108-2009, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for a Federally Funded or Federally Insured Project, and a new document, B202-2009, Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Programming. Collectively called the “4.2 Release,” these three documents expand the extensive library of AIA Contract Documents and build on more than 100 years of experience in defining the contractual relationships in the design and construction industry.